Rethinking of conventional Gas-to-Liquid via dimethyl ether intermediate incorporating renewable energy against Power-to-Liquid

This study aims to develop novel Gas-to-Liquid (GTL) processes for gasoline-equivalent products, taking syngas from methane reforming and dimethyl ether as intermediates, Dimethyl ether-to-gasoline synthesis (DTG), as well as to compare other well-known GTL technological routes via Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) and Methanol-to-Gasoline (MTG). The process synthesis and development overcame significant challenges in ensuring the most favorable feed (optimal H2/CO ratio and trace CO2) to DME synthesis by examining various combinations of methane reforming and syngas conditioning processes. Combined steam and CO2 reforming (CSCR) outperformed other examined reforming technologies when implemented in DTG, with good technoeconomic and environmental performance as low as 3.28 $/GGE and emitting less CO2eq compared to crude oil-based gasoline (5.3 kg/GGE). DTG demonstrated its potential and flexibility in a variety of markets, as well as in integrating with renewable utilities for dramatically reducing CO2eq emission up to 9.4 kg/GGE. Besides, the capability of the enhanced GTL incorporating renewable energy for green fuels production is verified by comparing to the Power-to-Liquid as another promising option.

Automated summary

This study aims to develop novel Gas-to-Liquid (GTL) processes for gasoline-equivalent products and compare them with other well-known GTL technological routes. The research overcame challenges in ensuring optimal feed for DME synthesis by exploring different combinations of methane reforming and syngas conditioning processes. The combined steam and CO2 reforming (CSCR) showed superior performance in DTG, with good economic and environmental benefits.